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Preschool & pre-K

Preschools & Pre-K in Lakeland, FL

Most preschools in Lakeland take part in Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK), for children who are 4 by September 1. It is free.

preschools and pre-K programs in Lakeland
108
daycare centers
88
in-home daycares
20
take infants
88
State license records

All preschools and pre-K programs in Lakeland

Showing 1 to 30 of 108

Providers on paid plans are listed first, then those in a state pre-K program, then those that offer pre-K on their own website, then A to Z by name. We do not rank daycares.

  4. Child care centerPreschool & pre-K

    Bobbie's Busy Bee

    4.2· 26 reviews

    4105 Glen Rd, Lakeland, FL

    VPK providerInfants to school-ageAccepts subsidy
    CallDirections
  17. Child care centerPreschool & pre-K

    Explore Point

    4.6· 32 reviews

    2825 Shepherd Rd, Lakeland, FL

    VPK providerInfants to school-ageAccepts subsidy
    CallDirections
  21. Child care centerPreschool & pre-K

    God Little Helpers

    4.6· 11 reviews

    1641 E Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL

    VPK providerInfants to school-ageAccepts subsidy
    CallDirections
  22. Child care centerPreschool & pre-K

    Great Kidz Academy

    3.7· 3 reviews

    1700 George Jenkins Blvd, Lakeland, FL

    VPK providerInfants to school-ageAccepts subsidy
    CallDirections
30 of 108
How this list is made: Lakeland daycares whose Florida record serves preschool-age children, plus those that say they offer pre-K or whose name says preschool. A daycare without this tag may still run a preschool room; ask.

All 108 preschools and pre-K programs in Lakeland, A to Z

Preschool and pre-K

Pre-K and preschool costs in Lakeland

preschools here take part in Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK)
60
By the Florida license record. It is for children who are 4 by September 1. It is free.
Preschool-age care at a center in Polk County, per week (2022)
$140
The Polk County median for full-time care. At a home daycare it is $145 a week.
Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK): the official pageVPK providers in Lakeland

County prices: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 (median full-time weekly price).

Before you enroll

Choosing a preschool or pre-K in Lakeland

  1. 1

    Ask about the day

    Ask how the day runs: free play, circle time, outdoor time and naps. Ask what children do to get ready for kindergarten.

  2. 2

    Half day or full day

    Many preschools run half days or school-year hours. If you work full time, ask about before- and after-care.

  3. 3

    Ask about cost

    Ask for the tuition, the registration fee and whether the state's pre-K or child care assistance can pay part of it.

  4. 4

    Check the license record

    Open a listing for its state license, the ages it serves and, where the state publishes it, the inspection record.

Nearby

Preschools & pre-K in nearby towns

Auburndale15 · 9 miMulberry7 · 10 miPlant City35 · 11 miBartow16 · 13 miEagle Lake3 · 13 miLake Alfred4 · 14 miWinter Haven60 · 14 miDover7 · 17 miZephyrhills17 · 20 mi

More in this area

More daycare in Lakeland

All daycares in Lakeland132Preschools & Pre-K in FloridaMontessori Schools in Lakeland3Christian Preschools & Church Daycares in Lakeland21Head Start in Lakeland7VPK Providers in Lakeland60Infant Daycare in Lakeland88In-Home Daycares in Lakeland20Affordable Daycare in Lakeland82Early Morning Daycare in Lakeland22After-School Care in Lakeland118Bilingual Daycare in Lakeland3

Questions

Questions

How many preschools and pre-K programs are in Lakeland?

108 preschools and pre-K programs are listed in Lakeland. A daycare without this tag may still run a preschool room; ask.

What is the difference between preschool and pre-K?

Pre-K is the year before kindergarten, usually for 4-year-olds, and many states fund free or low-cost pre-K. Preschool is the wider term for programs for children of about 3 to 5. Many daycares run both, and this list has both.

Is there free pre-K in Florida?

Yes. Florida runs Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK), for children who are 4 by September 1. It is free. Apply online on the Family Portal; the local early learning coalition reviews the application and, if approved, issues a Certificate of Eligibility to take to any VPK provider.

What age is pre-K?

Pre-K is usually for children who turn 4 by a cutoff date in late summer or early fall, the year before kindergarten. Each state sets its own cutoff.

What is the difference between preschool and daycare?

A preschool teaches children of about 3 to 5 before kindergarten, often for part of the day. A daycare looks after children while parents work, often all day, and many daycares run a preschool room. This list has both: places whose state record serves preschool-age children, that offer pre-K on their own website, or that are named a preschool.

Are these daycares licensed in Florida?

Every listing here comes from the Florida child care license records.